Paulus Orosius, a Spanish theologian, born in Tarragona about the end of the 4th century, died probably in Africa. He went to Africa about A. D. 414 to consult St. Augustine on points of doctrine, became his associate in the monastic life, and wrote Comultatio sue Com-mohitorium Grosil ad Augustinum de Errore Priscilltanistarum et Origenistarum, to which Augustine replied in the treatise Contra Pris-cillianista8 ct Origenistas Liber ad Orosium. In 414 or 415 he set out for Palestine, to counteract the influence of Pelagius. He won the confidence of Jerome, who shortly after attacked the Pelagian doctrines. In 415 Orosius arraigned Pelagius for heresy before the tribunal of John, bishop of Jerusalem; but the accusation failed both here and in the appeal to the council of Diospolis. Orosius, being himself denounced by John as a blasphemer, wrote Liber Apologeticus de Arbitrii Libertate, in which he defended himself and attacked the doctrines of Pelagius. From Palestine he returned to Hippo, and in 41G went thence to Spain. By the advice of Augustine, he composed his Hwtoriarum adversm Paganos Libri VII, extending from the creation of the world to the year 417, which, with the exception of the concluding portion, is destitute of historical value.

The best edition is that of Havercamp (4to, Leyden, 1738). Of the Anglo-Saxon translation of the work by King Alfred there are three editions with English versions, by Daines Barrington, Benjamin Thorpe, and Dr. Bos worth.